Enforced disappearances

We have heartfelt sympathy for the families of 20 missing individuals who were allegedly picked up by law enforcers at least three years ago. In their grief, they again pleaded with the authorities to return their loved ones at a press conference held at the Jatiya Press Club on Sunday.

Nineteen of the victims were picked up between November 28 and December 11, 2013, and the other, in 2012. Meanwhile, out of the 20, eight were allegedly picked up by Rab-1 personnel and twelve, reportedly, by detectives and Rab members. Law enforcers have, however, denied having anything to do with their disappearances on numerous occasions. But the question remains, why are they missing then?

Furthermore, the fact of the matter is, in a society where people can disappear like this without leaving any trace, there are definite reasons for citizens to be frightened and doubt whether law enforcers are there to provide security of life. In such a situation, the Home Minister's comment that "there is no such thing like enforced disappearance" and that these people might just be "hiding" is insensitive. If they were just hiding, why would their families bring such allegations against law enforcers? And is it not the duty of the state to ardently look into their complaints and find the missing persons?

In regards to the allegations, a clear pattern to what is happening seems to be emerging. And if law enforcers are indeed involved, it would be the biggest blotch in the history of our democratic process. Whatever the truth is, the state cannot simply absolve itself of the allegations brought forth without conducting a sincere and credible investigation into the matter.